Diving mask



Nov. 28, 1961 M. H. SACHS DIVING MASK Filed Nov. 10, 1958 INVENTOR. /l\"=-L.V l N H. SAC HS BYQZZNVWM ited rates This invention relates to a mask for use by skin divers and others who submerge in water without using a body enclosing diving suit.

Because of the limited illumination in sub-surface water areas it is essential that the divers vision is not further limited by other factors. Diving masks presently in use generally utilize a fiat glass or plastic window and a rubber or plastic band which encases the window and maintains pressured contact with a line of the wearers face surrounding the window so as to prevent water from entering the volume between the divers eyes. It is therefore necessary that the joint between the window and the face encircling band be water tight and capable of withstanding the high pressures exerted by the water against the window when it is used substantially below the surface. greatly limits the peripheral vision available to the diver because of the necessary extension of the opaque band into his field of vision. However, the use of windows which curve around the facial area in the manner of goggles used in other sports has previously been prevented because of the difficulty of providing an adequate seal between a curved window and the head band.

The present invention contemplates a novel and highly efiicient system of framing the window in the head band. The present framing system. will withstand high surface pressures and is ideally suited for use with a window which has a concavely curved surface presented to the face of the diver in several directions so as to cover the main areas of peripheral vision.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a goggle for divers which has a compoundly curved window so as to cover substantially the entire area of the divers normal vision.

A further object is to provide such a curved window goggle which will withstand the high pressures associated with water levels substantially below the surface.

A further object is to provide a diving goggle which utilizes a unique method of framing the window in the head band so as to withstand high water pressures.

These and other objects are achieved in the present invention by the use of a compoundly curved window formed of plastic or glass and having a rounded thickened portion about its perimeter. The plastic or rubber mask includes a thickened portioned at the perimeter that contacts the window and a groove that runs through the thickened portion in such a manner as to surround the window. A metallic strap extends about the thickened portion of the band so as to compress the sides of the groove about the perimeter of the window and thus form a water tight seal.

Other objects, advantages and applications of the present invention will be made apparent by the following detailed description of an embodiment of the invention. The description makes reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the mask as it is worn by a diver;

FIGURE 2 is a cross sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 3 is a cross sectional view taken at the riveted section of the channel member showing the framing relationship.

The use of a flat surface for the window 3,010,108 Patented Nov. 28, 1961 The preferred embodiment of the invention generally comprises four parts: The first is a window 10, formed of transparent plastic or glass and which is curved in both directions about points lying in the direction of the head of the wearer, a head band 12 which makes a contact with a line of the wearers face which completely encircles the eyes and preferably the nose and which makes contact with the perimeter of the window 10 on a continuous line.

A metal frame 14 operates in conjunction with the band 12 to frame the glass 10 as will be subsequently described. An elastic head circling strap 16 attaches to the band 12 at both its ends and encircles the head of the wearer.

As may be seen in FIGURE 2 at its perimeter the window 10 is of thickened bulbous streamline section 18. This thickened section is preferably formed in the window when it is originally cast.

The band 12 is of a thin flexible cross section along most of its width and at one end flares outwardly as at 28 in such a manner as to form a seal with the divers head at such times as water pressure is exerted on its outer surface. At the other end of its width the band 20 is integral with a framing section 22 which is essentially rectangular in cross section with its length disposed perpendicularly to the plane of the band 12. An oval slot 24 having an opening to the inner perimeter of the framing section acts as a receptacle for the bulbous perimeter of the window 18.

The framing arrangement is completed by a metal U- channel 14 which surrounds the framing section 22 on its three outer sides in such a manner as to press the framing section around the terminations of the glass. The channel 14 terminates in two L sections 26 which are riveted together to retain the framing construction.

The force of the water pressure on the outer surface of the window 10 and the framing end of the band 22 is such as to increase the tightness of the seal around the framing edge. The seal is, therefore, completely water tight under relatively high water pressures. The double concave shape of the window 10 receives uniform pressures on its outer surface in such a manner as to offset all pressures which are not normal to the general plane of the glass. Similarly, pressures in a direction perpenclicular to the plane are partially absorbed in a compressive action of the glass thereby minimizing the bending forces which would tend to crack it.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

A diving goggle comprising in combination: a transparent oblong window curved about its two major axes in a common direction and having a thickened portion, oval in cross-section, about its perimeter; a mask section comprising a flexible material adapted to engage the face of the wearer and having an oblong opening with a framing band running about said opening, said band having an opening therein which is oval in cross-section; an oval metallic framing member channel-shaped in cross-section, operative to engage the outer sides of said band on three sides of said opening; and screw means for tightening said metallic framing member about said band.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,667,517 Hausleiter Apr. 24, 1928 1,742,412 OFlanagan Jan. 7, 1930 2,139,811 Dockson Dec. 13, 1938 2,384,867 Williams Sept. 18, 1945 2,526,181 Wilen Oct. 17, 1950 

